ZWO AM5N Harmonic Equatorial Mount
ZWO offers with the "AM5 Harmonic Equatorial Mount" a transportable mount for astrophotography. The mount weighs less than 5 kg and carries telescopes up to 13 kg without counterweight. With the counterweight and counterweight rod (optional) the mount can also carry telescopes up to 20 kg. Several years of development and various patents have been devoted to this exciting product.
Many functions and ease of use
The AM5 can be operated equatorial and azimuth. Parallactic / equatorial mode is used for astrophotography.
The mount should be aligned as accurately as possible with the celestial pole.
The mount is then ready for use in minutes.
The status indicator always shows which mode the mount is in: Red represents parallactic mode and green represents azimuth mode
Counterweights are no longer needed
Normally, equatorial mounts need counterweights to balance the weight of the telescope. This is the only way to ensure proper operation.
The AM5 uses robotic technology, requires no counterweights up to a telescope weight limit of 13kg.
This makes the AM5 lighter, more compact and easier to use and transport.
Only for heavier telescopes (up to 20kg maximum) we recommend counterweights to keep mount and tripod in balance.
Guaranteed accurate tracking
ZWO checks and measures each AM5 mount prior to delivery and guarantees a periodic error ("PE") of less than +/- 20 arc seconds.
The periodic error occurs very slowly, so that the autoguider has enough time to correct it.
Of course, the mount has an ST-4 autoguiding interface. Through ASIAir or other software the PE can also be reduced electronically.
Usable anywhere on Earth
As you'd expect from a true travel mount, the AM5 can be used anywhere on Earth, from the equator to the poles. The frame has space in any luggage, even in hand luggage!
Polar alignment of the astrophotography mount
In equatorial mode, the mount must be aligned exactly with the north or south celestial pole.
Small errors are obviously corrected by the autoguide.
Alignment is done quickly and easily with ASIAir or other suitable software.
However, Artesky and ZWO are working on an optional solution with a polar finder mounted parallel to the mount.
No more cables thanks to WiFi
All the functions of the mount can be controlled via smartphone. Of course, the AM5 works particularly well with ZWO's ASIAir. With ASIAIR, everything from the camera to the autoguider to the mount can be controlled via app using a smartphone or tablet.
The AM5 can also be used with the keypad without a smartphone. The keypad also works wirelessly, of course.
Features
Mount type: | Parallactic mount |
Operating mode: | Azimuthal or parallactic |
Gear: | Harmonic Drive |
Periodic error: | less than +/- 20" - Passing time 432 seconds |
RA Motor: | Stepper Motor NEMA42 - Harmonic Drive Gear - Reduction ratio 100 |
DEK Motor: | Stepper Motor NEMA35 - Harmonic Drive Gear - Reduction ratio 100 |
Maximum load capacity: | 13kg without counterweights - 20kg with counterweights |
Weight of the mount head: | 5kg |
Operating range: | 0° to 90° north / south latitude |
Telescope mount: | Losmandy and Vixen Level quick coupling |
Connection for counterweight rod: | M12 female thread |
Maximum adjustment speed: | 6° per second |
Correction speeds: | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 20x, 60x, 720x and 1440x |
Power supply: | 12V - max 1.5A (with GoTo) |
Autoguiding: | ST4 port |
In the box:
- AM5 mount body
- Hand controller cable
- Rocker hand controller